Why Anzac Day has so many conflicting memories for RSL sub-Branch president
FOR Bruce Shaw, his Vietnam War ended the day he was discharged in 1970 but the way he and other war veterans of that era were treated by the government still rankles in him.
Rouse Hill
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FOR Bruce Shaw, his Vietnam War ended the day he was discharged in 1970 but the way he and other war veterans of that era were treated by the government still rankles in him.
Mr Shaw was so upset at this disrespect that he never joined the RSL sub-Branch for more than four decades and says his bitter experience of dealing with the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) proved to him that “no one really cared about the Vietnam vets”.
“When we came back, people called us terrible names, including child killers and murderers,” recalled Mr Shaw in an emotional interview.
“Even the people at the RSLs told us that Vietnam wasn’t a war even though Australia lost more than 500 young men there.
“Vietnam was a war and if you were there, you knew it was a war.
“I had to fight with the DVA for more than 40 years to get something from them.
“I was also diagnosed with prostate cancer last year which my doctor said was probably due to being exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
“Fortunately DVA paid for that surgery.”
Mr Shaw was drafted on his 21st birthday and trained in Australia for several months before being sent to Vietnam where he served for one year.
Mr Shaw, who served as an engineer with the 21 Engineer Support Troop and 1 Field Squadron in Vietnam from 1969-70, says he finally joined the Riverstone Schofields RSL sub-Branch in 2014 at the urging of long-time secretary and friend Robin Young.
That was also the first time the former sapper took part in his first Anzac Day march.
Three years on, the Acacia Gardens local is the president of the sub-Branch and is a popular speaker at Anzac-themed functions at local schools.
While he and other members prepare to mark another Anzac Day, Mr Shaw stresses that people should realise the solemnity of the occasion.
“Anzac Day is a wonderful occasion but we are not there to celebrate but remember the fallen,” Mr Shaw said.
“Anzac Day is a day we also remember those who left Australia for engagements and also for those in the services who stayed behind because they kept us equipped throughout but have been forgotten.”
Mr Shaw is very concerned about the high suicide toll not only among Vietnam vets but also among their children.
“The suicide rate of suicide among children of these vets is the highest in any war per capita.”
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 230 children of Vietnam veterans took their lives between the end of the conflict and 1997, with 80 per cent of these being male.
Under his leadership, the Riverstone Schofields RSL sub-Branch is launching a membership drive to make up for falling numbers among the young veterans.
“Some of our members are over 90 years old and I think I am one of the younger members,” Mr Shaw said.
“We love to have more younger members and among the main benefits is friendship and having someone to talk to.
“We meet once a month and host a meal while our welfare officer can guide members when dealing with different matters.”
Having gone through Post Trauma Disorder Syndrome (but he was only diagnosed three years ago)
Mr Shaw wants all returning servicemen to seek help if they have health issues.
“When we came back event the RSL club people told us that Vietnam wasn’t a war but Australia lost more than 500 young men there,” Mr Shaw said.
“We didn’t have any support when we came back from Vietnam and I just copped it on the chin and we thought we were tougher than we actually were.
“I got on with my the life in the best way I could but I had two failed marriages and drank a lot because of what I went through (without any help).
“I am now married to a wonderful girl.
“I hope none of my children or grandchildren will go to any war because there are no winners in wars, only losers.”
For help with mental health, contact: https://www.sane.org/get-help or phone 1800 187 263
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or
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